Noyce Scholar Profile

Briseida Rangel
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Algebra, Trigonometry, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
N/A
Background:
I was born in Santa Barbara, CA and raised in a small town called Lindsay. My parents moved Lindsay when I was six years old. I am the middle child of a family of five and a first generation college graduate.
Why do you want to teach:
It has always been my dream to become a teacher. I want to be able to make contributions to the community by making a difference in a child’s life. Teaching brings positive influences and motivation within students.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
In my senior year of high school, I had a friend who was not going to graduate because he was not passing a required class. There was only a couple of months left before graduation, so I decided to help him achieve his goal of graduating. I tutored him everyday during class and after school. He managed to pass the class with a B. I remember the day of our graduation; he came up to me and thanked me for everything I had done for him. He said that he would have never been part of the 2008 graduates if it were not for my help. It was the best feeling in the world knowing that I had made a big impact on someone’s life.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Scholars program (NSP) has had a great impact in my life. As soon as I heard of it, I wanted to become part of it. The NSP has helped me in many ways with my education by providing financial and academic support. I will always be thankful to those who make the Noyce Program possible.